• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.252-257
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of external scapular stabilization on the isometric strength of shoulder flexor muscle in subjects with and without scapular winging and conditions with and without external scapular stabilization. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with and without scapular winging were enrolled. Two groups were classified using clinical and diagnostic tests to divide the groups with and without scapular winging (15 with scapular winging 15 without scapular winging). The isometric strength of the shoulder flexor was measured using a tensiometer. The isometric strength was evaluated in the sitting position with and without an external scapular stabilization. The external scapular stabilization was provided with the examiner's hand to fix scapular winging during shoulder flexion. The changing value was calculated to determine the isometric strength difference between shoulder flexion with and without the external scapular stabilization in each group. The changing value between isometric strength of shoulder flexor with and without scapular winging was compared using the independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: In the group with scapular winging, the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position was greater with an external scapular stabilization than without an external scapular stabilization (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the subjects without scapular winging between conditions with or without an external scapular stabilization (p>0.05). Conclusion: The external scapular stabilization in the individuals with scapular winging may increase shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2023

Background: Scapular dyskinesis may cause not only rotator cuff (RC) tear but also weakness of the upper extremity, studies on scapular dyskinesis that may occur after RC repair is still lacking. Objects: To determine whether scapular dsykinesis was present in patients after arthroscopic RC repair and to investigate the influence of passive scapular stabilization on upper extremity strength. Methods: A total of 30 patients after RC repair participated in this study. To compare the scapula of the arthroscopic RC repair shoulder and the contralateral shoulder, the winged scapula (WS) was measured using a scapulometer and scapular dyskinesis was also classified by type. Fixed instruments for muscle strength measurements were used to measure upper extremity muscle strength differences depending on passive scapular stabilization position or natural scapular position. A chi-square test, an independent t-test and a 2-way mixed measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as statistical analysis. In analyses, p < 0.05 was deemed to be statistically significant. Results: Postoperative shoulder had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and the WS compared to the contralateral shoulder (F = 0.052, p < 0.01). Postoperative shoulder, muscle strength in the shoulder abduction (p < 0.01), elbow flexion (p < 0.01) and forearm supination (p < 0.05) were significantly greater in the scapular stabilization position than in the scapular natural position. Conclusion: Patients underwent arthroscopic RC repair had a significant association with scapular dyskinesis and muscle strength was improved by a passive scapular stabilization position, therefore scapular stabilization is important in rehabilitation program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The present study was to investigate effects of scapular position and pain on a trunk stabilization exercise with gym ball for patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Subjects were patients after 2 weeks of rotator cuff repairs. Subjects were randomly assigned to conservative treatment group (CTG, n=10) or trunk stabilization with gym ball group (SBG, n=10), and participated one of those groups for 2 weeks. Measurements about pain and scapular position were assessed in before and after treatment programs. Results: Pain reduced in both rest and night in SBG compared to CTG. In the case of scapular position, decreased scapular retraction (increased protraction) was found in CTG and vice versa in SBG. Reduced scapular anterior tilting was also found on SBG. Conclusion: The present study showed that early performed trunk stabilization with gym ball could bring a scapular alignment that increases subacromial space and reduces pain. This suggests early trunk stabilization with gym ball programs to restore shoulder functions for patients with rotator cuff repair.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.325-331
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• 2015

Purpose: This study attempts to understand the effect of stabilization exercise of biofeedback scapular on muscle activity and functional evaluation of the upper extremity in stroke patients. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups; a biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise group comprised of 8 patients and a task-oriented training group including another 8 patients, and 30-minute exercise was performed 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Electromyogram was used to measure muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior. Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Manual Function Test were used to evaluate functions of the muscles mentioned. Results: Significant difference was observed in the comparison group before and after exercise in muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Manual Function Test. Conclusion: Therefore, we could see that biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise is more effective than task-oriented training in facilitating muscle activation and functional capacity of upper limb.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.38-46
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• 2016

Background: Shoulder stabilization commonly involves two components: the glenohumeral stabilization exercise (GSE) and scapular stabilization exercise (SSE). Despite the fact that the shoulder stabilization has advantageous merit, to our knowledge, only a few studies have compared the superior of the GSE and the SSE. Objects: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of GSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain. Methods: Thirty subjects with nonspecific shoulder pain were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group, each with 15 patients. The experimental group used an GSE, whereas the control group did SSE. All subjects were measured in shoulder stability, scapular symmetric alignment, pain, muscle power, and range of motion before and after the intervention. Results: GSE resulted in significantly better shoulder stability (p=.046, from $8.67{\pm}7.54$ score to $13.93{\pm}9.40$) in the experimental group compared with SSE in the control group. However, no significant effects were observed for scapular symmetric alignment including the angles of inferior scapular distance (p=.829) and inferior scapular height difference (p=.735), pain (p=.113), muscle power including shoulder flexion (p=.723) and abduction (p=.897) and range of motion including shoulder flexion (p=.853) and abduction (p=.472). Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSE may be more effective in increasing the shoulder stability than the SSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain, probably through a centralization effect on the shoulder mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Purpose: We investigate to evaluate the effects of scapular stabilization exercise on dynamic standing balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty hemiplegic patients participated was divided into control group and training group randomly. Control group(n=15) had only general rehabilitation training and training group (n=15) had both the general rehabilitation training and intensive scapular stabilization exercise. They were treated for 15minute/5 times/4 week. We measured PALM (palpation meter) to measure affected side's distances from spine to scapular. We measured FRT (functional reach test), FSST (four squared step test), and BPM (balance performance monitering) to evaluate dynamic standing balance. Results: Training group showed a significant difference in the distances from spine to scapular, FRT, FSST, and variables of BPM comparing control group (p<0.05). But control group was not significant difference. Conclusion: These results suggest that scapular stabilization exercises have positive effects on dynamic standing position.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.83-90
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of scapular stabilization exercise and thoracic joint mobilization on scapular position, scapular motion and shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI) in adults with scapular dysfunction. A total 42 subjects were divided into a scapular stabilization exercise group(A, n=14), a thoracic joint mobilization group(B, n=14) and scapular stabilization exercise with thoracic joint mobilization group(C, n=14) and performed exercise and joint mobilization three times per week for four weeks, total 12 times. As for changes in scapular position among the groups, group C showed statistically significant increase(p<.05). In changes of scapular motion among the groups, group C showed statically significant improvement in shoulder abduction 45° and 90° both(p<.05), In changes of SPADI among the groups, group C were showed statistically significant improvement(p<.05). In conclusion, scapular stabilization exercise and thoracic joint mobilization were effective on improving scapular position, movement and SPADI score in adults with scapular dysfunction.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of a four-week scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique on scapular symmetry and range of flexion motion (ROM), pain, function, and quality of life (QOL) in post-mastectomy women with breast cancer. Methods: This study included 20 women divided into an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). All patients performed complex decongestive physiotherapy for 40 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. The experimental group performed the extra scapular stabilizing exercise program using the PNF technique for 50 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. Scapular symmetry, shoulder flexion ROM, pain and function, and QOL were subsequently assessed. For ROM measurement, the range of shoulder flexion was measured using a clinometer smart phone application; the pain of the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the scapular position was measured using a lateral scapular slide test (LSST); the level of pain and functional activity was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); and the QOL was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Results: There were significant differences in shoulder flexion ROM, VAS, SPADI, and LSST 0˚ and 45˚ when the experimental group was compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, there was an improved within-group change in the ROM, SPADI, LSST, and QOL in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique may be used as a possible treatment option for post-mastectomy women with breast cancer that aims to improve scapular position, shoulder ROM and function, and QOL.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the craniovertebral angle, proprioception (joint error test), and the upper trapezius on the muscle tone when comparing cervical stabilization and scapula stabilization exercises and when two exercises were performed together. METHODS: The participants in this study agreed in advance, and this study was carried out by recruiting 27 university students in their twenties with mild frontal posture. The subjects were assigned randomly to three groups that performed cervical stabilization exercises, scapular stabilization exercises, and both cervical and scapular stabilization exercises. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the evaluation values of the 1^st, 3^rd, and 6^th weeks of exercise intervention within the group, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference in the effects of exercise intervention among the three groups. RESULTS: Proprioception was significantly different in the cervical stabilization exercises (CSE) group and the cervical stabilization exercises + Scapular stabilization exercises (CSE+SSE) groups at three weeks, and there was a significant difference between the scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) group and the CSE+SSE group (p < .05). At six weeks, there was a significant difference between the CSE group and the CSE+SSE group, and there was a significant difference between the SSE group and the CSE+SSE group (p < .05). There was a significant difference between three and six weeks in the CSE group (p < .05). In the SSE group, there was a significant difference between pre and six weeks, and between three and six weeks (p < .05). In the CSE+SSE group, there was a significant difference between pre and three weeks, and between pre and six weeks (p < .05). On the other hand, there were no significant differences between CVA and muscular tone in all three groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: In all groups, the proprioception (joint error test) showed significant improvement, and the CSE+SSE group showed greater improvement than the other groups. As a result, the appropriate combination of neck stabilization exercise and scapular stabilization exercise effectively improved proprioception in the presence of forward head posture (FHP).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.60-67
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• 2017

Background: Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is a common scapular alignment impairment that causes insufficient upward rotation and muscle imbalance, shortened levator scapulae (LS) and rhomboid, and lengthened serratus anterior (SA) and trapezius. A modified shrug exercise (MSE), performing a shrug exercise with the shoulders at $150^{\circ}$ abduction, is known as an effective exercise to increase scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Previous studies revealed that scapular exercise are more effective when combined with trunk stabilization exercises in decreasing scapular winging and increasing scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Objects: The purpose of our study was to clarify the effect of MSE with or without trunk stabilization exercises in subjects with SDRS. Methods: Eighteen volunteer subjects (male=10, female=8) with SDRS were recruited for this experiment. All subjects performed MSE under 3 different conditions: (1) MSE, (2) MSE with an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM), and (3) MSE with an abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM). The muscle thickness of the lower trapezius (LT) and the SA were measured using an ultrasonography in each condition. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the LT, LS, SA, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle activities. Data were statistically analysed using one-way repeated analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Results: The muscle thickness of the LT and the SA were the significant different in the MSE, MSE with ADIM (MSE+ADIM) and MSE with AEM (MSE+AEM) conditions (p<.05) In both LT and SA, the order of thick muscle thickness was MSE+AEM, MSE+ADIM, and MSE alone. No significant differences were found in the EMG activities of the SA, UT, LS, and LT in all condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSE is more beneficial to people with SDRS when combined with trunk stabilization exercises by increased thickness of scapular stabilizer muscles.